SYNTHESIS OF SPHERICAL SILICA PARTICLES WITH 3-MERCAPTOPROPYL GROUPS IN THEIR SURFACE LAYER

Abstract

Spherical silica particles were synthesized by modified Stöber method using tetraethoxysilane and 3- mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). It was shown that their size (500-760 nm) depends on the nature of the catalyst used in the prehydrolysis of MPTMS (at constant alkoxysilanes ratio). Elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and IR spectroscopy data indicate the presence of thiol groups (2.8 mmol/g) in the surface layer. It was established that obtained nanospherical silica particles can adsorb Ag(I) ions from their acidified aqueous solutions.

Keywords

• silica spheres
• modifi ed Stöber method
• 3-mercaptopropyl groups